Bulls continue familiar tale for Pies

An understrength Mt Barker moved back into second spot after edging clear of Denmark-Walpole on Saturday to continue the hotly contested battle for the finals double chance on the Great Southern Football League ladder.

The Bulls were able to escape the trip to McLean Park with a 33-point win despite missing eight regular players but did enough in the second half to secure the four points, 12.15 (87) to 8.6 (54) in the Graham Hard Memorial Match.

With key players Nic Chidgzey, Tyron Miller, Matt Smith, Brendan Wynne, Ben Ireland, John Lee, Jake Byrne and Adam Brady on the sidelines, coach Shane Thompson pulled on the boots to make up 22 players.

The understrength Bulls edged clear after half-time, booting five goals to two, including keeping the Magpies goalless in the third term to record the hard-fought win.

The result continued a frustrating run of losses for the Magpies, who were once again in the contest but posted their sixth loss between six and eight goals this season.

Thompson’s men led by 11 points at half-time thanks largely to four goals from leading goal kicker Kym Monteath, while the Magpies’ Tyler Stone proved a handful for the close-checking Adam Tissott.

The visitors dominated the third term but inaccuracy kept the door ajar for the Magpies with a chance at the final change trailing by 27 points, but the margin proved too great. Stone finished with four goals but was once again his side’s only multiple goal kicker, while Monteath booted five after a plague of inaccuracy in the third term.

Youngster Russell Wynne continued his purple patch of form for the Bulls, while veteran Peter Taylor’s contribution in the midfield was crucial with the absence of many midfield teammates.

Former captain Brody Hickey was again instrumental along with fellow contested ball-winner Kadan King-Davies, while debutant Cody Kerr was also impressive.